Ted Bessell

Ted Bessell

Deceased · Born: Mar 20, 1935 · Died: Oct 6, 1996

Personal Details

BornMar 20, 1935 Flushing, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
Spouse
  • Linnell S. Nobori

    ( Dec 31, 1969 to Oct 6, 1996 )
  • Janeen A. Dara

    ( Apr 20, 1963 to Mar 1, 1967 )
  • Donna Gordon

Biography

Ted was born in the vibrant city of New York, where he began his acting career with guest appearances in soap operas, including "Lover Come Back" in 1961 and "It's a Man's World" in 1962. His early work laid the foundation for his future success, and he soon found himself landing roles in popular television shows.

In 1964, Ted appeared as "Frankie" on the hit series "Gomer Pyle: USMC", showcasing his versatility as an actor. However, it was his iconic role as "That Guy" on the beloved sitcom "That Girl" in 1966 that catapulted him to fame. As "Don Hollinger", he played the charming boyfriend of aspiring actress "Ann Marie", solidifying his status as a television heartthrob.

Following his success on "That Girl", Ted went on to appear in a string of short-lived comedy series, including "Me and the Chimp" in 1972, "Good Time Harry" in 1980, and "Hail to the Chief" in 1985. Despite his impressive resume, Ted struggled to find roles that didn't typecast him as the quintessential "good boyfriend".

In response, Ted shifted his focus towards the production side of television, where he found greater creative freedom. He directed episodes of the critically acclaimed "The Tracey Ullman Show" in 1987 and "Sibs" in 1991, demonstrating his range and talent behind the camera.

At the time of his passing, Ted was preparing to direct a feature film adaptation of the classic television series "Bewitched", which debuted in 1964. His dedication to his craft and his passion for storytelling left a lasting impact on the television industry, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of actors, writers, and directors.

Career

1985
Hail to the Chief
Hail to the Chief as Gen. Oliver Mansfield
1979
1973
Scream, Pretty Peggy
Scream, Pretty Peggy as Jeffrey Elliot
1972
1971
Two on a Bench
Two on a Bench as Preston Albright
1970
That Girl
That Girl as Donald Hollinger
1969
1965
Billie
Billie as Bob Matthews
1963
Captain Newman, M.D.
Captain Newman, M.D. as Carrozzo - Patient (uncredited)
1962
It's a Man's World
It's a Man's World as Thomas A. 'Tom-Tom' DeWitt
1961
Lover Come Back
Lover Come Back as Elevator Operator